A MAN is today starting a three-year prison sentence after details he had been blackmailing a man came to light in a previous court case.Once the crime had been revealed Peter Green then went home from the court case, held on June 17 this year, and assaulted his girlfriend in front of their children.

A MAN is today starting a three-year prison sentence after details he had been blackmailing a man came to light in a previous court case.

Once the crime had been revealed Peter Green then went home from the court case, held on June 17 this year, and assaulted his girlfriend in front of their children.

The 24-year-old wept in the dock as he learned about his fate at a sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, told the court it was at South East Magistrates Court when Green was being sentenced for a previous assault charge, that details about him blackmailing a man came to light.

He said: "The adult male victim of that crime and the defendant were known to each other.

"They had a dispute over money with Green saying the victim owed him £350.

"He said if the victim didn't pay he would give him a 'hiding' and 'kick his head in'.

"Police were notified when the information came to light and Mr Green was arrested."

Mr Sadd also told the court Green left the magistrates court that day and went home to the house he shared with his girlfriend, his 16-month-old son and another child. He told his girlfriend to get the children in bed.

Mr Sadd said: "He went outside for a cigarette and started throwing bricks at his son, but they did not hit him.

"He then came back into the house and head butted his girlfriend cutting her lips with his forehead."

Green, of Tennyson Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to both charges of blackmail and actual bodily harm.

Matthew McNiff, mitigating, said: "The assault was out of character for him.

"There had not been a problem within the family unit and the tears you see today are for the family which he has hurt.

"He is a young man not without hope and who has recognised the errors he has committed."

Green was sentenced to two years in prison for blackmail and one consecutive year for the assault.